What Are Preparatory Schools?

Preparatory schools prepare students as young as 5 years old for college.

Preparatory schools are designed to prepare students for college. Most preparatory schools are for students in middle or high school, but several institutions accept students in grades K-12. Preparatory schools are usually private and many have a religious affiliation.

History

Preparatory schools in the United States date back to the mid-17th century, when the country was under the rule of King Charles I. The aim of preparatory schools during that time was to educate young boys in reading, writing and math. In addition to those subjects, older boys studied Latin grammar, which was required for entrance into college.

Preparatory Schools Today

Today, prep schools are available in a coeducational or single-sex setting. While most preparatory schools seek to ready students for college, some schools teach students in the military academy setting, which prepares students -- often referred to as cadets -- for a career in the armed forces. In addition, some preparatory schools specialize in assisting students with learning disabilities, such as ADHD or dyslexia.

Paying for Prep Schools

Because many preparatory schools are private institutions, they have a reputation for being expensive. Some figures estimate the cost of tuition at prep schools ranging from $9,000 to $44,000 each academic year. However, most schools offer financial aid through scholarships and discounts for multiple children enrolled at the institution or children of parents who are alumni.

Academic Setting

According to the U.S. Department of Education, less than 0.01 percent of students who graduated from a public high school attended an Ivy League university. In contrast, nearly one-third of graduates from the top preparatory school attend one of the Ivies. This can be attributed to smaller classrooms, one-on-one attention from faculty members and intensified advanced placement courses.

Extracurricular Activities

While excellence in academics is the goal of most preparatory schools, many are known for their extracurricular activities. Some of these activities include varsity sports such as basketball, football, cheerleading, golf, soccer and tennis. Additional clubs and organizations available at preparatory schools include band, chess, chorus, dance, drama, fine arts, foreign language clubs, student government and student publications.

References

• "Forbes" magazine; America's Best Prep Schools; Raquel Laneri; April 2010
• The Roxbury Latin School: Rooted in History
• "Forbes" magazine; America's Elite Prep Schools; Abigail Jones; April 2009
• Prep School Profiles: Private, Independent Schools
• Eagle Hill School: About Us/Mission and Philosophy
• Greystone Preparatory School: Tuition, Room, Board & Fees